Out Of Town For Awhile!

November 8, 2001 - Thursday Day- 13

7:35am - I found a little creek for us to take our first break at , just past 275 and 41 intersection .There is a cow path here and it has the little guy on edge , they have been through here recently . This part of 41 seems to have no civilization on it for about a 1000 miles or so . We are surely out of town now ! We are just gonna take it easy today . Got a might brisk last night . I ain't to sure I am ready for the winter which lies ahead of us . It would be a great morning to have a cup of coffee as I sit here for an hour .
9:00am - We are behind a CircleK a few miles north of 275 . I got Skil's a can of food for a dollar and myself a $.35 candy bar . I guess I have to eat too . I just understand that it may not be today , but Skil's has always eaten daily , and he doesn't understand that it might not always be possible on this adventure .
There is about twenty cats living here and they don't seem to impressed with our prescence . They don't run from me , but seem to shy away from the dog a bit . I did stop a pick some orages today back down the road . Little ones but super sweet . I like this area and feel safe going through here . Wish I knew how to talk to people . That's just not my way . Growing up in Miami conditions a person to always expect the worst , I guess . Need to shave today , in case I do decide to try and communicate with the local population .
10:20am - I am having brunch in an orange grove now . I am definately sated on oranges . I seen a coachwhip snake coming in here , I haven't seen one in more than thirty years . It's about ten miles to Ruskin , I am makin more progress than I thought . Only 20 miles to Tampa after that . Everything should be alright after Tampa , but I have this feeling of impending DOOM when I think of going through Tampa .
I have enough money to get Skil's 2 more cans of food , if I can find a grocery store . There is nothing on this road as far as I have came and nothing as far asI can see .
I am sitting here in this orange grove , miles from anything and here comes a DOT cop and parks in front of me in the median . He didn't stay long though , he took off after the 3rd semi that went by . But why pick this spot to set up to write tickets ?
The skeeters are bad here , but not like Naples . Even if I think they are .
1:40pm - We have finally entered Hillsborough County and the anxiety is starting to grow now . The bugs are really hungry in this area , its hard to function like this . I am near the RR tracks and I'm thinking how nice it would be to ride the rails . Like an ole' hobo and hodog . I could never get Skil's to get in a boxcar though . The little guy is exhausted , he's been having a rough time , walking in the sun . I have to walk in the daylight , its the only way to look for lost money laying on the ground . Which has been a really rare occurence since I left Naples . A few pennies here and there . Outside of Collier Co. , the folks semm to value their money a little more than the Snowbirds from down south .
I am going to hang out hereuntil 4:00 and let Skil's rest some . Might be a bit cooler by then . At least the sun won't be shining straight down on him . I passed a field of tomato's a ways back and sure would of liked the courage to harvest a few . Maybe , I'll pass another one and take the chance .
The gnats are worse than the skeeters in this area . Its about 8 more miles to Ruskin , ain't making much headway today at all . I am hoping to find a grocery store tonight and practice the art of "dumpster diving" . Wynn-Dixie has a habit of trashing some really good stuff . I could use a few things for myself , like a book , bug-spray , and on-and-on .
I may have to make some smudge pots tonight to keep the bugs down . I'll also be keeping my eyes open for a shoe tree . Haven't a clue as to why I bought these boots for hiking . I'll surely trade them for a pair of tennis shoes .
3:20pm - The wind is coming from the southwest , thats a pretty good sign that some weather is heading this way . Hope it doesn't have too much rain , Sure need a newspaper with today's weather report in it .
7:30pm -We passed a CircleK and I inquired as to where the next grocery store was at . Hey , its a start ! About 4 more miles , so I'll wait to feed Skil's rather than buy this high-priced dogfood at this store . I walked 3 hrs. from the last stop , made it through Ruskin , and slept in an open field . One of my better nights , my little dog ate 2 big cans of food and he was really happy . Nowhere near as happy asI was seeing him get a full meal.